Spend your days hiking among the tallest cacti in the world at Saguaro National Park! This beautiful park sits right at the edge of Tucson and is a beautiful place to go for desert hiking adventures. From spring desert blooms to mountain peaks to admiring the saguaros, this is a peaceful national park that is perfect for hikers. This guide covers options for a perfect Saguaro National Park itinerary, along with tips for visiting.
Saguaro was designated a National Monument in 1933 by Herbert Hoover, and it was elevated to a National Park in 1994. It was designated as a national park to protect a large and important stand (or group) or saguaro cacti, which is one of the largest types of cacti in the world. Saguaro can grow to be 45 feet tall, and can live to be over 200 years old.
One nice thing about Saguaro National Park (although it might be a downside for some) is how close it is to Tucson. Tucson has an incredible food scene (it’s been designated a UNESCO City of Gastronomy), so you’ll have plenty of choices of great restaurants to visit after a day of hiking. Plus, the Tucson Airport makes the park convenient to reach.
If possible, I recommend spending several days in Tucson, and spending at least 2 of those days exploring both sides of Saguaro National Park. Keep reading to discover all of the best things to do in Saguaro National Park, with a focus on hiking trails. This is based on my experience spending a month in Tucson and visiting Saguaro several times in early 2025.
Tips and Things To Know Before Visiting Saguaro National Park
- It costs $25 per car (valid for 7 days) to visit Saguaro National Park. If you’ll be visiting multiple national parks over the course of a year, you’ll probably save money by purchasing the America the Beautiful Pass.
- There are two separate units of Saguaro National Park - an east and west side. The East Side is known as the Rincon Mountain District, the West Side is called the Tucson Mountain District. It’s a 30+ minute drive between the two units. I think both sides are worth visiting!
- I LOVE the Guide Along Audio tours and they have one for Saguaro National Park. This is a great way to learn about the park while you’re driving.
- Make sure to leave no trace when you visit Saguaro National Park. Pack out your trash, stay on the trails and come prepared. Most of the year is very hot and sunny in this park, so it’s extra important to bring plenty of water, sunscreen and a hat. It’s also best to do most of your hiking in the morning or evening instead of in the heat of the afternoon.
How to Spend 2-3 Days in Saguaro National Park
Keep reading for recommendations on the best things to do in Saguaro National Park, and my recommendations for spending 2-3 days exploring.
What is the difference between the East and West side of Saguaro National Park?
The Rincon Mountain District (East Side) tends to have taller cacti that are more spread apart. The Tucson Mountain District (West Side) has a denser concentration of cacti that are a bit smaller.
Both sides have great hiking trails that range in length, and a national park visitor center. The west side is also home to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, which is nice for families and anyone who wants to learn more about the plants and animals that call this region home.
Day One - Explore the Rincon Mountain District (East Side)
To spend a perfect day in the Rincon Mountain District, I recommend hiking the Bridal Wreath Falls trail, driving the Cactus Loop Drive and hiking the Loma Verde Trail.
Hiking on the East Side of Saguaro National Park
If you enjoy hiking, I recommend starting your day with a longer trail. I loved hiking to Bridal Wreath Falls, which can be reached in a couple of different ways. I did a 6-mile out-and-back hike that included a nice amount of elevation change and lovely views of the desert the entire way.
Bridal Wreath Falls was just a trickle when I hiked this in February, but I still enjoyed seeing the grotto. The waterfall is seasonal, and tends to have a much higher flow after snowmelt or heavy rains. If you’re looking for more of a challenge, you can extend this trail by making it into a loop.
The trailhead for Bridal Wreath Falls is on the Northern edge of this unit of the park, so you won’t be going through the main entrance. The trailhead does not have a bathroom or water, so plan accordingly and make sure to carry plenty of water for any desert hike.
The following trails are off of the main loop drive on the East side of the park (the Cactus Loop Drive).
The Mica View and Cactus Forest Loop is an easy two-mile loop that has some nice cactus views. There is no shade, so be sure to bring water.
I especially enjoyed the Loma Verde and Squeeze Pen Loop, which has a seasonal wash, mesquite trees, an abandoned mine and an abundance of cacti. The hike is 3.4-miles and is the perfect trail to admire the desert scenery.
Other trails on the east side of the park include the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail, the Freeman Homestead Trail and the Hope Camp Trail. There are hikes for every ability, just be sure to come prepared with water and sun protection.
Take the Scenic Drive on the East Side of Saguaro National Park
A drive on the Cactus Forest Scenic Loop Drive is a wonderful way to see the East side of Saguaro National Park. The drive is 8-miles, paved and only allows for one way traffic. There are several stops along the way, including overlooks and hiking trails. Keep in mind that parking is limited in some areas, so you may have to skip some stops on busy days.
Tip: The Cactus Loop Drive does have parking for RVs and larger vehicles.
A few stops I recommend are the Cactus Forest Overlook, the Desert Ecology Trail (a paved, easy trail that is great for the whole family), the Riparian Overlook (great for spotting birds), and the Javelina Rocks (a spot that javelinas use for shade).
Before or after your scenic drive, make sure to stop by the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center, which has a gift shop, an informational display, rangers to help guide you, restrooms, and more.
Day Two - Explore the Tucson Mountain District (West Side)
To spend a perfect day in the Tucson Mountain District, I recommend hiking to the top of Wasson Peak, visiting Signal Mountain and driving the Bajada Loop Drive.
Hiking on the West Side of Saguaro National Park
Just like the east side of Saguaro National Park, there is a nice variety of hiking trails on the west side of the park. Personally, I was really excited to hike up to the top of Wasson Peak, which is the highest point in the Tucson Mountains at 4,687 feet.
Wasson Peak can be reached on a couple of different trails and can be done as a loop or an out-and-back trail. I made the trail a loop and went up the King Canyon Trail, and down the Hugh Norris, Sendero Esperanza and Gould Mine trails.
The trail got a little steep at times, but I didn’t think it was too challenging. The top has incredible 360-views of the surrounding mountains (just be prepared for possible high winds at the top). On the way down, I also got to see some remnants of former mines. Overall, Wasson Peak is an excellent choice for anyone who is looking for a longer hike in Saguaro!
If you’re looking for a shorter and easier hike, the Valley View Overlook was my favorite easy trail on the west side. The hike is 0.8 miles and offers a stunning view at the top. It’s a great ‘bang for your buck’ hike!
Another must-see spot on the west side is Signal Hill, which has over 200 Native American petroglyphs. The petroglyphs were made by the Hohokam people and are said to be between 550 and 1550 years ago. Researchers aren’t sure of the exact meaning of most of the petroglyphs, but they may have been created here to commemorate an event or tell a story.
It’s a short walk to see the petroglyphs from the Signal Hill Picnic Area, but you’ll need to climb up steps to reach the top.
One more quick, family-friendly trail is the Desert Discover Nature Trail, a paved 0.4-mile loop that winds through towering saguaro cacti and desert plants.
Take the Scenic Drive on the West Side of Saguaro National Park
There is also a scenic drive on the Tucson Mountain side of the park, the Bajada Loop Drive. Unlike the loop on the east side, this drive is unpaved. However, any car should be okay to navigate the gravel dirt road.
The Bajada Loop Drive is 6 miles and has overlooks and hiking trails, including the Valley View Trail.
And just like the east side, there is another visitor center on the west side (the Red Hills Visitor Center), which is a great place to stop for a restroom, a souvenir or to get advice from a ranger.
Day Three - The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (or anything you missed) and a Sunset Mission
Spend your third day in the park visiting the Arizona-Sonora Museum and watching the sunset at Gates Pass. Or, go on an additional hike that you might have missed!
Visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a great place to learn more about the desert region you’re visiting. It’s much more than just a museum - it’s a zoo, aquarium, botanical garden and more all in one. The museum is located within the west side of Saguaro National Park and costs $30 for adults, and $20 for children.
It’s easy to spend most of a day exploring this unique place. In addition to the many exhibits, they have experiences such as raptor flights, bird demonstrations and more.
Highlights for me included the trails through the gardens, the cat canyon, and the mountain woodland animals. They have a lot to see and it’s mostly outdoors, so be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared with sun protection!
Watch the Sunset at Gates Pass
Don’t leave Saguaro National Park without watching at least one sunset! Gates Pass, located right outside of the west side of the park, is the perfect place to make this happen.
Gates Pass is an overlook that gives you an overhead view of a valley full of saguaro cacti. This is a popular place for sunset, so arrive a little early to snag a parking spot. If you have the time, there are also hiking trails that leave from this spot.
Gates Pass makes for a great stop between Saguaro National Park and Tucson, and was easily one of the highlights from my time in Tucson.
When to Visit Saguaro National Park
As with most desert locations, fall, winter and spring are the best times to visit.
It’s best to avoid the summer due to intense heat. Plus, July and August bring the monsoon season, which means heavy rains in the afternoons.
Winter is peak season, so prices may be higher than the shoulder times. During the winter, you'll likely have warm daytime hiking temperatures and cool nights.
The spring brings desert blooms, and fall brings foliage in the surrounding mountains. I visited Tucson in February and March, and had wonderful weather. Next time, I’d love to visit between late April and early June to see the flowering saguaro cacti!
Where to Stay for Saguaro National Park
Saguaro National Park does not have any park lodges or frontcountry campgrounds. They do, however, have backcountry campsites if you’re looking for a backpacking adventure.
Luckily, Tucson has all kinds of accommodations, from fancy resorts to house rentals to boutique hotels. If you want to enjoy some of the best of Tucson after a day exploring Saguaro, downtown Tucson is a good central location. The area is walkable with several restaurants and shops. A couple neat downtown boutique hotels are Hotel Congress and Unicorn Zebra.
I stayed in the north side of the city in an Airbnb, and liked that the location was closer to the west side of the park and generally more affordable and quiet than downtown. A couple hotels around there are Candlewood Suites Tucson by IHG and Comfort Suites at Tucson Mall.
Tucson also has some luxury resorts if you’re looking for an extra special stay. The JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa is famous for its golf courses, hiking trails and top notch dining. This is also close to the west side of Saguaro National Park.
More Things To Do in Tucson
If you want to see more of the area during your visit to Saguaro National Park, there is a lot to do in Tucson and nearby. Here are a few of the best things to do in Tucson:
- Go hiking in Catalina State Park.
- Drive to the top of Mount Lemmon.
- Take a day trip to Chiricahua National Monument and/or Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
- Visit the Tucson Botanical Gardens.
- Visit the San Xavier del Bac Mission.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide helps you plan a fun national park adventure to Saguaro! I was very impressed by Tucson and had a great time admiring the towering cacti. This park is perfect for a winter, spring or fall vacation, and definitely belongs on your national park bucket list.
For more Southwest Travel Guides, check out these blogs:
- The Best Day Hikes in Sedona
- The Best Outdoorsy Things To Do in Tucson
- How to Spend 2 Days in Zion
- The Best Things To Do in Bryce Canyon
- How to Spend One Day in Capitol Reef
- How to Spend 3 Days in Moab
- The Best Things To Do in Kanab, UT
- How to Visit the White Pocket in Arizona
Thanks for Reading!
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